Third term extension to service Chiefs Stifles Professionalism: - says HURIWA

“The unprecedented third term extension of the tenure of offices of the current serving chiefs will inevitably create ethical issues of skewed reward system; will create increasing levels of lack of professionalism and would ultimately lead to personalization and politicization of the constitutional offices of service Chiefs. Importantly, under the relevant sections of the constitution as adduced by the Presidency for this opaque decision of third term elongation of tenure, there is no such provisions for tenure extension”.

With the above summation a leading pro-democracy and civil rights group – HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has criticized the reported extension for a third term of the tenures of the military service chiefs who were long overdue for retirement since last December with the possible exception of the Chief of Army Chief who is not yet ripe for exit from the Army.

In a statement to the media authorized jointly by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the media Affairs National Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA said it was absolutely irregular for the president to keep selected military officers in offices when they statutorily ought to have retired to allow for progression by their juniors in the different arms of the military.

The Rights group said the boko haram counter terror war cited as another excuse for this obscene tenure elongation for service military chiefs does not justify the apparent illegality because the armed terrorists have increased the sophistication of their targeted suicide bombing campaign since the current set of military chiefs are ib offices. The Nation is better off trying other professional military Generals to obtain optimal performance in the counter insurgency war.

“We think the current third term extension for the military service chiefs by President Buhari is aimed at obtaining undue political leverage and partisan advantage towards the 2019 presidential polls since the service chiefs would now view their continuous extra-legal stay in offices as special favours from the holder of the political office of President. These favours will inevitably put them in the unprofessional quagmire of serving the partisan interest of the incumbent President who is being railroaded to run for a second term even when his ongoing chequered first tenure has seen over 100 million Nigerians becoming poverty stricken and the costs of living skyrocketing to an abysmal level with pump prices of petroleum products reaching an all time high beyond the affordability of millions of Nigerians. This undue favouritism will undermine professionalism in the military and will dissuade officers who are supposed to rise to their peak to lose that chance and this will lead to lack of motivation”.

HURIWA also faulted the tenure extension on the ground that the constitution which is the highest laws of the land does not contain any specific clause allowing tenure extensions.

“Section 218(1) and (2) of the 1999 constitution does not contain any such words like tenure extension or any such aberrations that will encourage progressive degradation of professionalism in the ranks and file of the military. For the avoidance of doubt, section 1(3) of the constitution states that “If any law is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution, the constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void”.

HURIWA argues that the aforementioned provision of the constitution (section 1 subsection 3) nullifies the Harmonised Conditions of service which is extralegal.

HURIWA also affirmed thus: “The by law which confers some levels of authority to the President to extend tenure of serving service chiefs did not comply substantially with the relevant constitutional provisions cited by the President in awarding an unprecedented third term extension to service chiefs.

The section 218(1) and (2) of the constitution states as follows: “(1) The powers  of the President as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation shall include power to determine the operational use of the armed forces of the Federation;  “(2)The powers conferred on the President by subsection (1) of this section shall include power to appoint the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and heads of any other branches  of the armed forces of the Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly”.

“Also this changes would also have top officers among whom are over 150 officers in the rank of Major General in the Army retired compulsorily thereby undermining institutional memory and wastage of humongous resources spent in training them".

"Also, over 70 officers in the Nigerian Navy, particularly officers in the rank of Rear Admiral are equally penciled down for retirement just as 50 officers in the rank of Air Vice Marshal in the Nigerian Air Force face retirement”.

“Following the expected changes, officers recently elevated to the various ranks in the three arms of the military have reportedly not been given new postings even as their current status put them above the positions they are still being made to man".

HURIWA recalled that the Chief of Defence Staff and two of the Service Chiefs’ tenure had expired on July 13, 2017,and was appointed on July 13,2015 but are still in office following a one-year extensions granted them last December by the president. 

HURIWA recalled that General Olonisakin, by virtue of his age or length of service in the Nigerian Army was due for retirement last December, but had his tenure extended by Buhari. Based on the Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service, appointments as service chiefs are tenured for two years.

"However, at the pleasure of the president, the tenure could be extended if they have not reached the retirement age of 56 and/or attained the maximum length of service. Going by this statute there has to be no further extentions”.

The service chiefs comprise the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusufu Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar.

Media reports said the tenure extension, the second in a row for Olonisakin, Abubakar and Ibas, was seen as rare in the military establishment.

"Buhari had in December 2016 and June this year extended the tenure of the three officers, raising hopes among senior personnel in the Armed Forces that they would finally be retired this month and other officers promoted to replace them.

Based on age or years of service, Olonisakin, Ibas and Abubukar were due for retirement exactly a year ago while Buratai is not due for retirement till 2018."

However, a statement Monday from Col. Tukur Gusau, spokesman to the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said: “The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, having carefully reviewed the on-going military operations across the nation and the efforts of the Chief of Defence Staff and the service chiefs in the counter insurgency operations in the North-east, coupled with the security situation of the Niger Delta region, has graciously approved the extension of tenure of service of General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff.

HURIWA backs 'occupy Imo' protests: Carpets Imo Police Command:

 

A leading pro-democracy and a Non-governmental organization – HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has endorsed the popular decision of brave Imo citizens to stage series of peaceful protests against current serial and gross misgovernance and alleged corruption by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.

Besides, HURIWA has strongly condemned as primitive, retrogressive, unconstitutional and anti-people the plot by the Imo state police command to undermine the pro-democracy “Occupy Imo” campaign by completely peaceful Imo state citizens and supporters of genuine democracy and good governance. 

HURIWA stated that the right to peaceful assembly is constitutionally sacrosanct and inviolable and wondered why the police have imposed an unconstitutional duty on itself to scuttle the enjoyment of the constitutionally guaranteed right to free assembly which is at the core of constitutional democracy. 

In a statement issued to the media against the backdrop of reports of police brutality in Imo state and totalitarian attempts by armed security forces to violently break-up the civil protest, HURIWA asked the National Assembly to defend democracy and civil rule by cautioning the Imo state police command and the police hierarchy in Abuja to comply by constitutional provisions and protect human rights.

"HURIWA condemns absolutely the attack on civil liberty as exemplified by the brute and crude measures put in place by the Imo state police command to frustrate the peaceful holding of civil demonstration against the apparent and glaring maladministration, high-handedness, dictatorship, lack of good governance and total breakdown of respect for the civil liberties of citizens of Imo State. The citizens have the constitutional freedom to protest against the current bonanza of extra budgetary spending of multimillion Naira by governor Okorocha to invite rogue foreign leaders such as Jacob Zuma of South Africa and to erect uselessly idol-minded statues in a strategic area of the Imo State capital. The Imo people have the right to demand good governance and open government which is lacking in Imo state due to nepotism and discriminatory use of Imo resources to service bogus projects and offices controlled by biological family members of Okorocha".

“The Imo state house of assembly is a typical example of a house of horror whereby the members behave like persons from extraterrestrial universe and completely cut off from the heartbeats of Imo state citizens. In the last seven years under the current administration in Imo state, Rochas Okorocha has converted governance to nepotistic family affairs and have embarked on a spending spree and widespread alleged brigandage and wanton looting of resources but the assembly is weak and docile”.

“The decision of the organizers  of the occupy Imo protest to speak out is in line with chapter four of the 1999 constitution, the universal declarations of Human Rights and the International democratic laws and conventions adopted and domesticated by the Nigerian state of which Imo is only but a part”.

HURIWA Cited Articles 19; 20 and 21 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS domesticated as chapter four of 1999 Constitution(as amended) as supporting free and peaceful protest in Nigeria thus: “Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers; Article 20 (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association; (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association; Article 21(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives; (2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country; (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government, this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures".

HURIWA said the extreme dictatorship and lack of good governance in Imo state has reached an epidemic levels demanding declaration of a state of emergency and the immediate impeachment of governor Okorocha and his arrest and prosecution for the bastardization and corruption of political governance which goes contrary to all civilized norms and our constitutional tenets. 

Serving NYSC member murdered in Ogun State

A Twenty-Three years old serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Miss Tawose Modupe, has been allegedly murdered by a man she engaged to teach her how to drive.

The suspect, Festus Udoh, 29, allegedly lured the victim, who until her death was serving in Ogun State, into a forest where he killed her.

She was declared missing last Saturday, and after investigation and search, the Ogun Police arrested Udoh, who confessed of murdering her.

The suspect told the police that he lured her into a forest, near Abule Ayo in Mawuko village in Odeda Local Council of the State.

Udoh confessed to killing the lady because she threatened to inform her parents that she was raped by the suspect.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ahmed Iliyasu, who paraded the suspect, said he had confessed to committing the crime.

The commissioner explained that the police received complaint of missing person from the State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. John Okon, and “immediately went into action.”

The suspect confessed that he dragged the girl into the bush, had sex with her and later strangled her to death.

When asked how he knew her, he said: “I knew her where she came to learn how to drive. My boss asked me to get Learner’s Permit for her at Oke-mosan, a suburb of Abeokuta.”

“She did not come to collect the permit and, after a week, she called that she wanted to collect it. I told her I was no longer at the driving school and she agreed to come and collect it.

“ I called her to come to Lafenwa, a suburb of Abeokuta and collect it. She came to Lafenwa and I later told her I wanted to have sex with her. She disagreed. I dragged her into a nearby bush and had sex with her. I killed her when she threatened to report me to her family. I tore her cloth the strangle her. ..”

The police said: “We went for a technical screening of fact left behind by the last person she made contact with, who is also the suspect. We were able to arrest him.

“She registered with him in a driving school by name Lizzy Driving School in Abeokuta.

“The man tactically and deceitfully convinced her on Saturday evening that her driving permit was ready.

“She decided to answer to his call and he cleverly and deceitfully brought her to this forest where he had a forceful and unlawful carnal knowledge of her and thereafter, strangled her to death.

“The passport photographs of the suspect were found at the scene of the incident which is a remarkable scene of crime evidence,” he said.

The Guardian saw remains of the victim at the crime scene, naked as her jean trouser, was half removed while her shirt was torn.

The commissioner said the victim’s family had been contacted. He called on members of the public to be careful of the kind of persons they deal or relate with.

Courtesy: The Guardian.

Benue Assembly Confirms New Chief Judge For Benue

Benue State House of Assembly today confirmed the nomination of Hon. Justice Adam Onum as the new Chief Judge of Benue State.

The confirmation followed a letter of nomination addressed to the Speaker and read on the floor by the House Deputy Speaker, Mr. James Okefe.

The letter forwarding his nomination to the House explained that following the recommendation from the National Judicial Council, (NJC), Governor Samuel Ortom has approved his appointment in line with Section 271 subsection 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Consequently, the member for Adoka/Ogboju Constituency,  Mr.  Adam Okloho moved a motion that the nominee be confirmed. The motion was seconded by Dr. Adoga Onah.

Announcing his confirmation, the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Okefe described the New Chief Judge as an impeccable and impartial Judge whose track record of performance is outstanding.

Mr. Okefe praised the NJC and Governor Samuel Ortom for finding Justice Onum worthy to hold the position adding that the fact that he is the first indigent from the Benue South Senatorial District to be appointed to the position, the Governor has proven that the APC administration in the State is fair to all manner of people.

The Deputy Speaker advised the new Chief Judge to reciprocate the gesture of the Governor by rededicating himself to the smooth administration of Justice.

HURIWA Condemns Extreme Corruption in NNPC

A pro-transparency and non-governmental organization – HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has condemned what it called the unending patterns of extreme epidemic of corruption and lack of accountability in the hierarchy of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The Rights group said the lack of action on the part of President Muhammadu Buhari to block the financial heists and leakages within the top management of the Nigerian national Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is a constitutional breach of section 15(5) which provides that "the Nigerian State SHALL abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power".

The Rights group said the seeming inaction and conspiratorial silence of all the anti-corruption agencies to the monumental financial misapplication in the NNPC shows that these anti-graft bodies have become toothless bulldogs of the political party in power at the center.

In a media statement jointly authorized by the National coordinator comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA lamented that the Federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari has swept under the carpet of impunity the extensive allegations of breach of procurement law in the award of contracts totaling $24Billion as made by the minister for state for petroleum Dr. Ibe Kachikwu against NNPC's GMD Alhaji Maikanti Baru.

The Rights group said it was unimaginable that even when the hierarchy of the NNPC has yet to respond convincingly and conclusively on the alleged $24Billion contract scam, it has again been enmeshed in another N50 Billion hidden bank accounts in breach of the single treasury account's (TSA) Policy of the Federal government. 

HURIWA submitted that the fact that the NNPC's officials displayed before the Federal House of Representatives,  a Presidential approval for the flouting of this Federal government's financial transparency and accountability TSA policy shows that the Presidency has assumed that it is bigger than the law and policies put in place by the Nigerian State and therefore open to insider abuses.

HURIWA which expressed strong consternation at the emerging extremely disturbing patterns of official corruption in the NNPC, recalled that in the letter to the President, the minister of petroleum accused the NNPC boss of labeling him as “corrupt”, “anti-north”, and also being “in collusion with militants”, in order to convince the president on the need to sideline him in the decision-making process in the state-run oil firm.

HURIWA recalled also that the Petroleum minister Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu alleged that the GMD of NNPC Alhaji Maikanti Baru awarded about $24 billion major contracts without his input or review by the NNPC board which totally violates the extant procurement law.

HURIWA stated that the Petroleum minister added that he wrote the letter to the President after concerted efforts to have a one-on-one appointment with him at the State House fell through since his return from the UK for medical reasons.

The Rights group affirmed as follows: “The allegations made by the minister of state for petroleum against the group Managing Director of NNPC that he did not consult the board services committee whose function it is to review potential appointments and terminations of senior staff prior to implementation is a very worrying phenomenon that amounted to insubordination to constituted authority which is totally unethical and unprofessional".

“We are aware that the Minister also alleged that Baru sidelined the NNPC Board in the awards of contracts. According to the Minister, the legal requirements is that all contacts above $20 million should be reviewed and approved by the NNPC board. That the President Muhammadu Buhari's administration has comfortably swept these huge allegations of corruption and criminality under the carpets and the government is going about as if all is well is totally reprehensible, despicable and abominable and these criminal allegations must be investigated and anybody indicted must be sanctioned. This government must not treat some public officials as sacred cows even when they are linked to serious crimes against the nation State”.

HURIWA stated that it was disturbing that NNPC has become a cesspool of corruption even as the presidency looks the other way and the anti-graft bodies are in no way worried that these large scale corruptions are happening within the management of the NNPC. 

The Rights group condemns the reported presidential directive to the NNPC management to flout the treasury single account (TSA) policy and operate different bank account of over N50 Billion and demands that the GMD of NNPC Alhaji Baru be dismissed.

“The alleged huge crime by top management of NNPC which became manifest when the House of Representatives uncovered how the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) flouted the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy by depositing over N50 billion in various commercial banks, is extremely disturbing and it is even more disturbing that this pattern of criminal allegations are linked to the office of the President in an administration that talks so much about anti-corruption”.

Human Rights Legend

Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma can be said to be one of those gems who hit the ground running. From childhood, He was sure of what he wanted in life. It was clear from his earliest activities that he was cut out to be a Leader. And it later turned out to be that he indeed became a leader both in business and politics.

Born to the modest family of Chief Michael Uzodimma, Igwe of Ozuh Omuma popularly known as Chairman of Common Man and Ezinne Rose Uzodimma (Nee: Nneoha) on December 12, 1958 in Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo state, Hope proved worthy of his name indeed as he sooner than later became the hope of his immediate community, peers and associates. He is married with Seven Children and a Grandson.

He obtained his West African School Certificate from Mgbidi Secondary School, Mgbidi, Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State in 1982. From there he proceeded to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) Imo state where he obtained Ordinary Diploma in Maritime Management Technology. He later bagged a Higher Diploma in the same field from FUTO. The Distinguished Senator also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from Washington International University.

Before moving into full time politics, Sen. Uzodimma distinguished himself as an accomplished businessman. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited from 1999 till June 2011 when he became a Senator. He was also the Managing Director of SMIEC Chemical Engineering and Construction Company Limited between 1995 and 1999, Managing Director of De Hope Engineering Services Limited, 1990-1999. Between 1999 and 2011, Sen. Uzodimma was equally the Chairman of FILTIM HUZOD Oil and Gas Ltd. Indeed his business career and experience expanded across a matrix of empires that consequently prepared him for other challenges.

As early as 1993, Sen. Uzodimma’s political Leadership qualities had started manifesting. By that year he was appointed Chairman Imo State Marketing Board. He held the position till 1996. Between 1996 to 2002, Sen. Uzodimma was the president of Nigerian Amateur Wrestling Association of Nigeria, under the supervision of Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports.

A year after in 2003, he was appointed Chairman Nigerian Mass Literacy and Non Formal Education Commission. He held this position till 2007, when he contested for the Governorship Primaries of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP.) He came second in that race and was set to win at a run off, which never held because of crisis in PDP that eventually led to the party not having a candidate in the governorship election of that year.

Sen. Uzodimma has been a long standing member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a party he is a pioneer member and financier. Beyond the PDP, Uzodimma’s political activism started in the hay days of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) where he made a mark as the Youth Leader of the party. He was also a stalwart of the UNCP in the 90’s.

Before his election as Senator in 2011, Senator Uzodimma had always maintained that his mission was to find a platform that will avail him the opportunity to translate his private sector experience and achievements, spanning over 20 years, “to a public sector that appreciates hard work, competence and rewards same accordingly” His admirers are hoping that his election as Senator will avail him this platform.

What is certain is that the senate position has at least kick-started that platform. In just Three years in office, Senator Uzodimma has distinguished himself as a Legislator to watch. With Four bills, one has passed second reading, Ten motions and recognition by Thisday Newspapers as one of Ten (10) best Senators for the Legislative year 2011-2012, Sen. Uzodimma is certainly not a bench warmer Senator. He was voted and honoured as the best Senator from South East by the Senate Press Corp in 2017.

At the community level, Sen. Uzodimma has left an indelible mark. He constructed rural roads for his community, Omuma. His Hope Uzodimma Education Foundation has trained over 200 graduates with over 150 students still in different schools both within and outside Nigeria. He completed a rural electrification project for his Community also. For all these and more he has been accordingly recognised. He holds the chieftaincy title of Onwa of Omuma, Omekagu of Umuna in Orlu L.G.A., Omeihe Ukwu of Orlu, Onwa Ndigbo by South East Council of Traditional Rulers and many others.

A devout Catholic and a good Christian, Chief Uzodimma has equally received much recognition by the church. He was given an award of Excellence by the National Council of Catholic Women Organisation. The same award of Excellence was bestowed on him by the Anglican Communion, Orlu Dioceses. The Rotary Clubs of Festac, Lagos and Enugu also recognised him with different awards of Excellence. He is the grand patron of the Saint Vincent De Paul Catholic Diocese of Abuja. Sen. Uzodimma is also a member of the Parish Pastoral Council, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama Parish Abuja. He has presented both academic and religious papers at different fora and they include;

1.    The Church and the State as Partner in Nation Building (Being Paper presented at the  Orlu Catholic Priests Retreat in 2013) in Omuma, Oru East L.G.A. Imo State

2.    When the Righteous are in Authority (Being paper presented to the Anglican Synod of Orlu Diocese in 2012.

3.    Health Care Delivering in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects (Being Paper delivered at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka(UNN), Enugu Campus, in 2013).

Sen. Uzodimma is a member of Ikoyi club Lagos and the IBB Golf Club, Abuja. His hobbies include Golf, Football, Tennis and meeting people of diverse interest and background. To a very large extent, it can be said that Senator Uzodimma is an accomplished businessman and a politician with promise. The next few years will surely see him blossom in this direction. This has commenced positively through his activities as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs where he has recovered Hundreds of Billions for the Federal Government through his selfless oversight activities.

TONY OJUKWU’S NHRC’S APPOINTMENT IS LAUDABLE:- SAYS HURIWA *TASKS PRESIDENT ON CREDIBLE BOARD:

A frontline pro-democracy and civil Rights organization – HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has praised President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of a legal luminary Mr. Tony Ojukwu as substantive executive secretary of the National HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (NHRC).

But the Rights group has equally called on President Buhari to ensure that only credible Nigerians with sound commitments and passion for altruistic, selfless, and patriotic services are appointed as governing council members so as to make the institution respectable, independent, credible and operationally excellent. 

HURIWA submitted that the choice of the longstanding staff of the Rights Commission as head of the commission has made history positively and signposts likely manifestation of a national human rights enforcement agency that won't be seen by millions of Nigerians as mere mouthpiece of the Federal Government but a commission that stands at the threshold of momentous history to taking it's fundamental prime position as a credible voice for the downtrodden and millions of disadvantaged Nigerians. 

In a media statement by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and National Director of Media Affairs Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA maintained that although President Buhari took ages to nominate a substantive Executive secretary long after the last head of that institution ended his tenure of office, but the Rights group nevertheless stated that the decision to pick one of Nigeria’s foremost human rights lawyers with monumental experience in the civil rights sector having worked for years at the management level of the National HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION shows that government may have started listening to the aspirations and yearnings of a cross section of human rights practitioners.

However,  the Rights group expressed fear that should the President commit the fatal error of appointing politicians to the governing council, then we can as well say good bye to that wonderful institution. The Rights group therefore charges President Muhammadu Buhari to complete his good steps by appointing credible persons with the formidable frame of minds and mindsets of Patriots to constitute the Governing body of the institution so that the promotion and protection of human rights of all Nigerians are vigourously pursued. 

“Mr. President has done well to have sent the name of Mr. Anthony Ojukwu, from Imo state, and a senior Director of the Rights Commission to step in to head the place in what is obviously the first time ever that the highest political authority in the land has chosen merit, competency and qualifications over mundane politics. The decision to look inwards rather than bring a stranger that lacks institutional memory and zeal to lead the place is worth saluting and celebrating. This right step must be followed by the best practices of picking only persons with credible human rights backgrounds as commissioners and board members.”

“We hereby asked the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to hasten the process of confirming this great lover of human rights and democracy Mr. Tony Ojukwu to head the National Human Rights Commission. Ojukwu's profound knowledge of the human rights sector will definitely bring about immediate and comprehensive reforms to the strategic engagements with civil rights leaders to serve the public good of Nigerians".

"Posterity will remain eternally appreciative of the legislators and President Buhari for this singular act of patriotism,”  HURIWA argued. 

INSECURITY IS ERODING YOUR LEGACY: HURIWA TELLS BUHARI: *Condemns Fulani Herdsmen's Siege of Chikun in Kaduna and NUMAN in Adamawa:

“President Muhammadu Buhari got a chunk of votes from most voters in the 2015 presidential poll because of his famed military antecedent and based on his campaign theme which focused majorly on tackling and combating manifestations of insecurity, threats to territorial integrity of Nigeria caused by boko haram terrorists and other categories of violent criminalities. But two and half years down the line, with only few months to the end of his presidential term of office, the President has been unable, unwilling and refused to implement nationalistic military and law-based defence mechanisms to eradicate the increasingly threats to national security by armed Fulani herdsmen; boko haram terrorists and armed kidnappers.”

With the above summation, a civil rights group – HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has warned President Muhammadu Buhari of the extensive damage to his credibility and expected political legacy which the expanding frontiers of organized criminal violence of armed Fulani herdsmen, boko haram terrorists and other classes of armed freelance attackers, have done to his records of service as Nigeria’s Civilian President from 2015 –2019. 

HURIWA has also condemned the reported siege of Chikun LGA of Kaduna and Numan Local Council of Adamawa state by armed Fulani herdsmen and demanded immediate military deployment of patriotic Nigerian soldiers to disarm these terrorists. 

The Rights group faulted any government's political declarations of victory over boko haram terrorists and asserted that such cosmetic propaganda is far from the reality on ground but the group applauded the Nigeria Army for some tangible efforts even as it tasked the Federal government to dp more to equip the combatants and motivate them with adequate remuneration.

“Mr. President seems distracted already with the cacophony of sycophantic political machinations by career politicians who are already drumming up farcical support for him to run for a second term even when this government has so far failed to deliver the cardinal principle of his campaign which is the effective demolition, degrading and destruction of the capacities of criminal elements to stop the heightened state of insecurity and check the increasing threats to national security posed by boko haram terrorists.”

In a statement signed by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA charged President Buhari to immediately reorganize the national security architecture to enable the security forces to live up to their constitutional role and frontally combat all violent criminal elements irrespective of their tribes, religion and trade.”

HURIWA called on President Buhari to fortify border security so as to block all avenues for the inflow of illicit weapons just as the Rights group asked President Buhari to drop heads of security forces because they have failed in their constitutional duties with the possible exception of the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai whose men and officers are battling the scourge of boko haram terrorism with some verifiable manifestations of achievements.

The Rights group however wants the Federal government to set up a joint milital task force to combat the increasing threats to national security posed by armed Fulani herdsmen so as to avoid the situation whereby all affected communities could team up to attack the Fulani herdsmen as revenge mission. 

Mrs Akeredolu urges special budgetary allocation for Cancer control

The First Lady of Ondo State, Arabirin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has again reiterated the need for a National Policy on Cancer Control in Nigeria.

Speaking at the International CSOs Cancer Conference (ICCC) 2017, an event by Civil Society for Cancer Eradication in Nigeria, which took place at the National Centre For Women Development, Abuja, Mrs. Akeredolu stressed the need for medical practitioners to adopt global best practices when it comes to the management and control of cancer.

According to her, many Nigerians are on their own when it comes to surviving cancer thus the need to push government to take the lead in cancer control through advocacy as obtainable in many other parts of the world where government through policy plays critical role in reducing cancer incidence and deaths.

At the conference themed: Bridging the Gap between medical practitioner and CSOs in the global fight against cancer, Mrs. Akeredolu used the opportunity to call for budget appropriation for cancer control at the federal and state level and as well the establishment of state owned comprehensive cancer centers stressing that though the incidence of cancer appears low but many Nigerians are bound to die more than those in western countries where cancer incidence is higher.

Her words: “Many of you must have had the opportunity to interact or network or even attend conferences of some of these international organization and you know we have a continuum on cancer control which starts with awareness, prevention, early detection, diagnosis, palliative care and so on.

“According to WHO, every year there are about 100,000 new cases of cancer in Nigeria and it is estimated that by year 2020 the incidence rates will be 100.9/100,000 for women and 90.7/100.000 for men, If you look at the incidence rate and compare those figures with what obtains in western world, you may say well the incidence is quite low but we are more likely to die from cancer than those in the western country where the incidence is higher if you look at our death rate”, she lamented while questioning why the pattern has not changed over the years since her winning her own battle against cancer 20 years ago.

“I have been in this fight for over 20 years now – what are we all doing? Why is it that the pattern hasn’t changed? These are some of the questions we should begin to ask ourselves. We have been told to be serious about cancer control. I don’t think we have been doing really well when it comes to the area of prevention – if we are honest with ourselves. And that could be linked to paucity of funds. Another thing is logistics- it might sound simple but how are we going to get to these rural area to create these awareness”.

The climax of the event however was conferment of an Award of Excellence on Arabirin Akeredolu in recognition of her contributions in the fight against Cancer.

REMARKS BY THE SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, HIS EXCELLENCY, RT. HON. YAKUBU DOGARA AT THE PLENARY OF THE HOUSE ON THURSDAY, 30TH NOVEMBER, 2017: CONFRONTING THE SCOURGE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND MODERN SLAVERY

Protocols:

My dear Honourable colleagues, I wish to make few remarks on the subject matter of my trip to Italy where I participated in a Conference specifically convened by the President of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, Her Excellency, MS LAURA BODRINI, to discuss a very topical issue -“Women Empowerment and the Fight against Trafficking in Persons. The Partnership Between Nigeria & Italy”.

  

2.  The conference was convened in the aftermath of the very tragic event of 5th November, 2017 at the shores of Italy which resulted in the death of some 26 mostly Nigerian girls having embarked on what has now become the riskiest journey on earth, attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. You will recall that this House passed a Resolution (HR. 151/2017) on November 9, 2017 to investigate this tragedy. And only yesterday, November 29, 2017 another Resolution on a related subject matter was passed. 

3. If you thought the horrific events that led to the deaths of our girls were appalling just as we prepared to leave Italy last Friday, we received the terrifying news that another set of 30 migrants had died in the Mediterranean Sea while 200 were rescued.  To our collective shame these kinds of deaths have become a recurring decimal on account of which the Mediterranean Sea has become the cemetery where Africa’s future, which our young represent, is buried. Our findings reveal that the deaths are under-reported as the figures more often than not do not take into account those deaths for which the corpses are not recovered. It must be noted that in most cases some of the immigrants are deliberately dumped into the sea like bags of weed.

4. To add salt to injury, humanity’s conscience was recently jolted by the CNN report of auctioning of black African migrants as salves in Libya where these migrants are normally held in servitude in human cargo holding facilities. I believe most of us have seen the atrocious pictures of black Africans in such overcrowded holding facilities were they are packed like sardines and often mercilessly beaten and terrorized by their captors in order to keep them subjugated. These pictures which the social media is replete with have moved even the brute and the cruel to tears.

 

5. For those who wonder why would a fellow human being strip another of his dignity in this beastly manner, the answer is, Money. They do it for the money. Slavery is so lucrative especially now that it involves human organ harvesting. It was and it is still a money spinner. In the past, it was so lucrative that a part of the sweet Land of Liberty fought a vicious Civil war to keep slavery until the Abolitionists won. 

6. Permit me to underpin the historical difficulties in dealing with slavery. The author of the finest line ever written by man, “we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal”, himself a slave owner, was once forced into deep introspection about the ideals he had lifted to cosmic heights and the fact that he himself own slaves. Because slave trade and slave labour brought him so much wealth and influence, he couldn’t himself live up to the eternally truthful ideals he had so brilliantly espoused. He wrote to the effect that keeping a slave is like holding the wolf by the ears, it’s a job you hate to do but you dare not let it go. He placed justice and self-preservation on a scale but pathetically self-preservation won over consideration of justice. This is the case with modern slave masters; justice and life have no meaning to them, all they care for is self-preservation. It’s a trade the mafia and their local collaborators dare not leave because of the money involved. 

7. What is consistent with the lessons of history is that unless slave masters are forced to stop, they won’t on their own put a stop to the criminal enterprise. We have a duty to stop them and we must begin by accepting responsibility for what is happening now. The question is, what have been done either as individuals or corporately to force these forces of evil to stop this trade in humans? Where is our conscience? Are we not troubled by the unfolding scenario where human beings are bought and sold for any amount much more for as low as $400 US Dollars barely the cost of a local cow or horse? 

8. It is my considered opinion that we are all involved in this crime either as perpetrators or those who are aiding and abetting human trafficking by standing aloof.  For we are ultimately responsible for what we allow or permit. There is a place for Nigeria in all these. As the most populous black nation on earth, we must accept the fact that if any black man or woman falls, it would be because Nigeria lacks strength. Until the last modern slave is freed, we would have done nothing and our generation will bear this shame forever.

9.  The legal framework to combat Human Trafficking is fairly well developed. What is required is the political will and the muscle to execute the laws and policies already in place. As parliamentarians, we have a responsibility to use our legislative tools of oversight to ensure that all agencies empowered by law to fight this scourge are made to account to our people. This we must ensure it’s done with dispatch.

 

10. It is in this regard that I hereby direct that the Public Hearing on House Resolution (HR. 151/2017) which ordered an investigation into the death of the 26 girls recently in the Mediterranean Sea and the Resolution passed yesterday mandating relevant Committees of the House to investigate the slave trade going on in Libya be consolidated and immediately scheduled for hearing in spite of the pending work on the 2018 Budget. The relevant Committees should make sure that all relevant parties and stakeholders are invited to dig out the facts and proffer workable solutions to this heinous crime against humanity.

 

11.  Furthermore, the House of Representatives would soon convene a major Conference on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery as part of our intervention to help put an end to this evil. This would afford experts the opportunity to make recommendations on possible Legislative and Executive actions required to tame this evil trade. We must also sensitise and activate, as soon as possible, the ECOWAS Parliament and other Inter Parliamentary bodies such as IPU, CPU and other affiliated bodies to wade into this matter.

 

12.  Permit me to use this opportunity to call on Mr President and Commander in Chief to lead this struggle for total and unconditional emancipation of the unfortunate victims of this scourge. History beckons on our President with a gold pen and a page reserved for only Africa’s great Statesmen if he successfully leads the campaign to eradicate modern slavery. Mr President should, if necessary, deploy Nigeria’s diplomatic and military clout on this matter. We would like to see an immediate convening of emergency session of the ECOWAS and AU to lunch a rescue operation as soon as possible. As it is, the voices of ECOWAS and AU are unacceptably too feeble on this devastating issue.  We commend the French President, Mr Emmanuel Macron for taking a principled position on this matter and applying pressure on the UN to take urgent steps in dealing with this scourge. We expect other nations who value freedom and the dignity of the human person to join France in working out a permanent solution to this resurgent evil.

13.  In conclusion, let me once again commend the forceful words of His Holiness, Pope Francis who said: “Human trafficking is a scourge, a crime against the whole of humanity. It is time to join forces and work together to free its victims and to eradicate this crime that affects all of us, from individual families to the worldwide community”. Now and not tomorrow is the time to act, the world must not shrink from this responsibility.

 

14.  Thank you for your kind attention and may God bless our commitment to excise this cancer from our midst and bring this shame to a halt.

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES WIZKID, DAVIDO ON AWARDS

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates renowned hip-hop artistes, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, WizKid, and David Adedeji Adeleke, Davido, on their awards at the Music of Black Origin (MOBO).

President Buhari joins the teeming fans of the artistes in Nigeria and all over the world in celebrating the highly deserved and meritorious recognition, which saw WizKid winning “International Best Artitse’’ award, while Davido picked the “Best African Act’’.

The President affirms that both singers have showcased the rich talents in the country, and brought pride to the nation through their many songs and performances, commending their dedication, hard work and charity works.

President Buhari in the statement by his media spokesman Femi Adesina3 also calls on the upwardly mobile artistes to be cautious and mindful of likely distractions to their careers, urging WizKid and Davido to serve as ambassadors of the country and role models to upcoming musicians.